Unhappy Hooligan (Howie Rook Mystery #1) The Big Top in California is the background which Howie Rook, ex-newspaperman and collector of murder cases, takes on for protective coloring when he is tossed an impeccable suicide by the dead man's widow. Objectively observing, taking part in the clown acts, getting the walk around from two and four legged performers, he sweats it out to prove his verdict. (Kirkus' Reviews)